Apparatus for printing cinematograph-films.



J. E. THORNTON.

APPARATUS FOR PRINTI NG CINEMATOGRAP-H FILMS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 18. 1914.

Patnted Nov. 2, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

wnuzszs. A INVENTOR $78M C70MZZZ Zor72/Lon;

1 ww/gggm J. E. THORNTON.

APPARATUS FOR PRINTING CINEMATOGRAPH FILMS.

APPLICATlON man APR.18, 9x4.

1,158,587. Pat d Nov. 2,1915.

BEETS-SHEET 2.

.TON, a British subject,

59311 EDWAAR'D TEQfiNTGi T, 035 LDNDGN,

ENGLANID.

APPARATUS F633, EBZNE'EETG CHTEMATGGEAPH-EIifiligr specification of letters Patent Application filed April 18, 1-914 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Joni; Eowsnn Triennresiding at London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus ior'Printing Ginematograph-hilms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for printing a narrow cineniatog'raph iilm of a low degree of sensitiveness such as sensitized with bichromated gelatin.

in my prior application Serial filed February .1, drum or wheel of lar e diameter and rotary movement is described, the narrow sensitized film to be printed being passed over it and the negative clamped in close contact therewith by a transparent endless band the two films as the drum rotates being passed around it and subjected to the action or a narrow streak oi light or high actinic and low heating power placed longitudi- I na-lly of the film.

The invention consists in the substitution on the former machine for a single transparent pressure band to clamp the negative and sensitized films in close contact during printing, of two pressure bands either opaque or transparent to gripthe margins or edges oi the narrow in contact leaving a narrow uncovered gap or space between the bands through which the narrow streak of light can pass for printin 7 The invention will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation the machine. Fig. 2 is a plan. Fig. 8 is a transverse section of a portion of the drum onlarged. Fig. 4 is a transverse section of a portion of the drum enlarged, showing the additionof an air trunk. Fig. 5 is an elevation of a modification of the film reel showinc tension =device applied thereto. Fig. 6 is an elevation of tension rollers for applyins tension to the films as they are passed forward to the transverse section of a portion of the drum A showing a modified form of the end ess pressure band. Fig. 8 is a similar view showing a further modification of the pres sure band.

The drum A with a ring of mercury vapor lamps C placed longitudinally around the periphery and either with or without an otally mounted on the shaft Z, the two films in contact as they pass around 1913, a machine with -gins of the films yielding clear films to hold them y nigiisav latent-ed illova 2., 1935i Qerial Itlo. $32,399.

air duct ID is similar to that described in Thorntons application Serial No. M5725.

Around the periphery of the drum A two endless pressure bands. B B. are passed guided o suitable guide rollers 12 to grip the margins or edges of the negative film G as it is passed over the drum in contact with the sensitized film h. The hands are main tained at the desired tension by a weighted guide roller 6' mounted on an arm 2 pivand clamp the drum A.

The pressure bands B B may be opaque and made of metal or other flexible material or they may transparent of any suitable material. in use opaque bands prevent the li ht acting upon margins of the films an with certain printing processes leave the print with opaque margins. Transparent belts on the other hand allow the light to reach the marmargin prints. Their use also permits o f the pubnshers name or other matter being printed along the margin of the film by first printing it along the margin of the negative film or along the edge of one or both of the transparent pressure bands such matter being reproduced upon the sensitive films during exiposure to light.

The periphery of the drum A may he flat orn'lore or less convex with a curved pad or cushion a: of plush, rubber or other slightly yielding material, to insure perfect contact between the negative and sensitive films.

The sensitized film l is taken "from a reel i in the usual way and when printed after passing around the drum is wound onto a similar reel f and the negative film G is taken from a reel g and rewound onto a reel g.

Around the drum A and between the lamps C and the films F and fitted a grid iv composed of thin metal plates set radially with spaces between to cause the light rays from the lamps to strihe the film perpendicularly.

To prevent slackness films, they pass "from the reels 7 y over two neumatic suction boxes L, L, as shown in Fig. l, or a tension or friction device i is applied to the reels f and 9 (see Fl {3) or a pair of tension rollers Iii K may be N 1 U there IS or sagging of the 1 or rope min a dinally of t e film, the

upon the drum A.

close contact of the films If desired, the pressure bands B B, as

-shown in Fig. 7, may have a rib or ribs N on the under side and the face of the'drum be grooved to guide and maintain the bands in the proper position on the drum, or these pressure bands may be provided with perforations O, as shown in Fig. 8, engaging with sprocket teeth 0, by which they may be driven, instead of by friction.

A motor M drives the drum A by a cord groove a in the periphery and the reels f g by cords m. passing over pulleys on the reel spindles.

at I claim as to protect by Letters Patent is In apparatus for printing cinematograph films comprising a large drum around the periphery of which the films are passed and mercur vapor lamps placed longitucombination of two pressure bandsoperativeto grip the margins or edges of the films and clamp them to the drum leaving the film between-them exposed to the action of a narrow streak of light of high actinic and low heating power from said lamps substantially as described.

2. In apparatus for printing cinematograph films comprising a large drum around the periphery of which the films are passed and mercury vapor lamps placed longitudinally of the films, the combination of two pressure bands-operative-to grip the gins or edges of the films and clamp them to the drum leaving the film between them exposed to theaction of a narrow streak of light of highactinic and low heating power from said lamps and a curved pad around :theperipheryof the drum operative to 've a transverse bend to the g1 pose of insuring perfect contact between' for the purthe films on the reels intermy invention and desireboth films as they are curved longitudinally and carried around the periphery of the drum. 7

3. In apparatus for printing cinematograph films comprising a large drum around the periphery of which the films are passed and mercury vapor lamps placedlongitudi- 4. In apparatus for-printing cinemato graph films the combination wlth a rotating printing drum having a pair of pressure belts to clamp the strips thereto, and means for producing a streak of cool actinic light encircling the drum,-of an air trunk encircling the drum for conducting a blast of filtered air passing therethrou-gh to remove the surplus heat.

5. In apparatus for printing cinematograph films comprising a large drum around the periphery of which the fihns are passed and'mercury vapor lamps placed longitudinally of the films, pressure bandsoperativeto grip the margins or edges of the fihns and clamp them to the drum leaving the film between them exposed to the action of a narrow streak of light of high actinic and low heating power from said lamps and a grid comprising a number of thin plates to cause the light rays to strike the film perpendicularly.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

Witnesses:

H. D. JAMESON, O. J. WORTH.

the combination of two 

